Coal-Free New England 2020

The Conservation Law Foundation complaint says Merrimack Station in Bow is polluting the Merrimack River with excess hot water. The nonprofit first announced its intent to file the Clean Water Act suit, along with the Sierra Club, last November.

“Merrimack Station has seriously undermined the health of the Merrimack River for decades,” said Tom Irwin, Vice President and Director of CLF New Hampshire. “This dirty coal plant is damaging our climate and endangering public health, all while polluting an iconic natural resource. The owners of this plant must immediately address these offenses and ensure the Merrimack River is protected from further harm.”

The Sierra Club and the Conservation Law Foundation sued in federal court Monday regarding the Merrimack Station power plant in Bow. The plant was owned by Eversource until last year, when it was sold to Connecticut-based Granite Shore Power. Both are named as defendants.

“Merrimack Station has seriously undermined the health of the Merrimack River for decades,” said Tom Irwin, Vice President and Director of CLF New Hampshire. “This dirty coal plant is damaging our climate and endangering public health, all while polluting an iconic natural resource.”

“This report speaks loud and clear—fracked gas is increasing our carbon emissions and harming our environment,” said Greg Cunningham, VP and Director of CLF’s Clean Energy and Climate Change program. “Coal’s sharp-dressed cousin is continuing us on a path to irreparable and costly climate damage. It is imperative that we shift our clean energy transition into high gear and accelerate our clean car standards to reverse this trend.”

With the election of Attorney General Janet Mills, Maine has the chance to reverse the harmful LePage administration anti-environment policies and commit to a broad framework for tackling climate change.

“Merrimack Station has been endangering the environment and the public’s health for decades,” said Tom Irwin, Vice President and Director of CLF New Hampshire. “Not only is this coal-burning plant damaging our climate, it has also dramatically undermined the health of one of our most iconic natural resources, the Merrimack River. It’s time for this damage to finally be addressed.”

“Not only is this coal-burning plant damaging our climate, but it has also dramatically undermined the health of one of our most iconic natural resources, the Merrimack River,” says CLF attorney Tom Irwin in a statement. “It’s time for this damage to finally be addressed.”